10 km Husky Safari with Kennel Visit Saariselkä

Saariselkä and Ivalo, gateway to the far north

Saariselkä is a fell village in the Inari region of northern Finland, about 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, surrounded by pine forest and rounded fells. Ivalo, around 30 kilometres to the north, is the region’s main village and has the northernmost airport in Finland. Together they are the base for winter adventures in northern Lapland, from husky rides to Northern Lights hunts.

This husky safari picks up guests in both places, so it is easy to join whether you stay in a ski cabin in Saariselkä or a hotel in Ivalo. The drive to the kennel takes about an hour through quiet snow-covered forest, a good chance to see how wide and empty the far north of Finland feels in winter, with frozen lakes and only the occasional house along the road.

Veskoniemi and the shores of Lake Inari

The kennel lies in Veskoniemi, a small, peaceful village near Lake Inari, the third-largest lake in Finland and one of the most beautiful landscapes in Lapland. In winter the lake freezes solid and its shores become a white world of snow, pine and silence, with islands scattered across the ice and wide open views to the horizon.

Lake Inari is at the heart of the Sámi region, the land of the indigenous Sámi people, whose culture is still very present around Inari village. Being here, far from the busy resorts, is a big part of what makes this Lake Inari husky safari special: the trail runs through calm forest where the only sounds are the dogs’ paws and the swish of the sled runners on the snow.

Driving your own husky sled

After a 15-minute safety briefing from an experienced musher, you head out in pairs, two people per sled. One stands on the runners and drives, controlling the speed with the brake, while the other sits in the sled. Halfway along the 10 km track you swap, so both of you get to drive. If one person prefers not to drive, that is fine as long as the other can drive the whole way.

The ride lasts about 45 minutes and the huskies love to run, so expect an exciting, lively pace on straight sections and gentle curves through the trees. Only the passenger can take photos during the ride. Children aged 4 and over can ride in the sled with parental supervision, children under 12 always ride as passengers, and teenagers over 16 may drive.

The husky kennel visit

This is a small family kennel with a simple motto: quality over quantity. Groups are kept small so the experience stays personal, both for guests and for the dogs. After the ride you have time to meet the huskies up close, stroke and play with them, and take photos with these friendly, energetic animals in their snowy yard.

The musher shares stories about the dogs’ lives, from puppyhood and training to their retirement, and explains how a husky team works together. Alaskan huskies are bred for endurance and love the cold, and you will quickly see how excited they get before each run. Guests with animal allergies should keep in mind that the whole visit is spent in close contact with the dogs.

The kota and Lapland winter

The visit ends in a kota, the traditional cone-shaped hut of Lapland, where an open fire burns in the centre and smoke rises through an opening in the roof. Here you warm up with a hot drink, chat with the musher and enjoy the quiet of the surrounding forest. Food is not included, so have a meal before or after the tour.

The husky season around Saariselkä usually runs from late November to early April, when there is enough snow on the trails. Temperatures can fall well below minus 20 degrees Celsius, but the farm lends you warm overalls, boots and gloves at no extra cost. Wear thermal layers underneath and bring a hat and a scarf, and you will stay comfortable during the whole ride.